Afternoon Tea At The Wallace Restaurant

Henry James once wrote: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

After an incredible afternoon tea at The Wallace Restaurant – surely London’s best kept secret? – Haute Time is inclined to agree.

The pretty courtyard, with its glass covered atrium within the walls of The Wallace Collection (an art space in Marylebone’s Manchester Square) and potted plants, is pretty enough to warrant a visit at any time of year but it’s a fact that an indulgent afternoon tea always rashes better during the festive season.

Expect the full panoply of elegant teapots, fluffy scones (served with clotted cream and Peyton and Byrne preserves), the daintiest of sandwiches, extravagant cakes (including a mini Lemon meringue pie and a to-die for chocolate Turkish delight creation for those scoring a cocoa fix) plus rivers of refreshing teas.

The extensive tea menu covers the classics (English breakfast and Earl Grey etc) together with host of herbal infusions for those of you who have embarked on ‘dry January’.

We don’t think that sounds like much fun though – it is still the season for indulgence after all – so opted to add a glass of champagne and wile away the afternoon sipping bubbles while reading the papers before browsing around the national museum. Bliss.

Bottom line? A decadent champagne afternoon tea at The Wallace Restaurant – a beautiful spot off the tourist trail – is the perfect way to see out the holiday season.